I am currently in the market for an entry level road bike. So far I have my eyes on the Trek 1.1 and the Giant Rapid 3. My father has the Rapid 3 and he has logged around 3k miles in about a year. A guy at a local bike shop told me 1500 miles a year on that bike was good. So that has me leaning towards the Giant. But for a small amount more I can come away with the Trek 1.1 with the drop handlebars.
I am looking to do some distance rides on the weekend and also complete the Dalmac next Labor Day. dalmac.orgdalmac.orgOpen ↗
So my question is do you think the drop bars are really worth it and I should go with the Trek? Or could I put drop bars on the Giant later if I wanted? My dad complains that his fingers get numb with the flat bars on his Giant.
So this is where I sit, I plan to buy on black friday, as some shops are having some sales.
Drop bars are definitely worth it for a road bike as they give you more than one riding (hand) position, and let you get a more aerodynamic position for fast riding. If the bike is properly fit to you and adjusted, you can avoid the problems with your hands like numbness. Go to the Sheldon Brown wegsite and Rivendell website for more general info about this issue and many others. You can retrofit different bars to different bikes, but be aware that flat bars and drop bars require totally different brakes/shifters, and can run into a lot of money. You are much better off getting what you want up front, especially if want drop bars, because road brake shifters (or brifters) are relatively expensive; you might as well get them with bike initially.
I agree with Steve's post above. It is costly to switch over to drop bars and brifters from a flat bar road bike. Although I have not seen to much discusion the other way around. If you buy a drop bar bike and find out it is not for you it will set you back less to change it over to a flat bar bike.
Good info, Thanks a lot. I was really indecisive about that until now. I can see that changing back to flat bar would be a little less than the other way around. So far I like the reviews on the Trek 1.1, but does anybody have any experience with it?
I went 50 miles yesterday to Joliet and back and didn't have much problem with numbness. I can move my hands around using the gripers on the end of the flat bar. If I keep them in a certain position for too long then the fingers go a bit numb. I'd say I'm fitted fairly well to this bike. I saw plenty of them (Giant Rapid) go by the house up north during last summer Dalmac. Plenty of Treks too but you see them everywhere. 1500 miles figures out to be only about 40 miles a week if you figure riding months for March to November. If you want to be comfortable in the saddle for the long ride you want to get those long rides in as much as you can. Seems like the big shot riders like the drop bars. Dad
I would go with drop handlebars it will help you overall control. If you want a bike for distance pay a little extra for a lighter bike or even save for a full carbon bike it will be worth it going up hard hills. I am a Jr. rider mainly a track sprinter so I not one who goes on really long rides. And i cannot stress this enough to family and other riders DO NOT BUY ON BLACK FRIDAY OR ONLINE!!!! Most of the time bike shops just want to push old models regardless of the your stem size. They will either give you a bike too big or too small. Just wait a little bit when their sales are done or when it isent crowded it would be worth it. But other than that good luck and hope you find that good bike
Well the shop i am going to is having a 10% off sale on black friday, so its not going to be anything crazy. I am concerned about the proper fit, but not worried about ending up with an older model.
